A proposed advanced computing campus in Washtenaw County, Michigan, has sparked significant opposition from local officials. The project, which involves an investment of $1.25 billion, is linked to the University of Michigan and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Plans for the campus include a 230,000-square-foot federal research facility and an additional 50,000-square-foot center for nonclassified research by university students and faculty, along with a new electrical substation. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.
The partnership between the university and Los Alamos National Laboratory aims to enhance research capabilities, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, national security, and energy solutions. This collaboration follows a five-year, $15 million research contract initiated in 2024 to advance computing technologies. Local officials, however, express concerns despite the promise of job creation and scientific progress.
Local Officials Voice Concerns
In a recent resolution passed in August 2023, the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously called on the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory to reconsider the project’s location. The Ypsilanti City Council echoed this sentiment in late October 2023, raising issues related to the center’s potential involvement in nuclear weapons development.
The financial backing for the project includes $300 million from Los Alamos National Laboratory, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million directly from the university. The university is also responsible for facilitating the financing of the remaining $630 million, according to a statement from Kay Jarvis, Director of Public Affairs at the University of Michigan.
Jarvis emphasized the benefits of the partnership, stating, “The partnership is anticipated to strengthen U-M’s impact and excellence in research and education, offering new capabilities and opportunities to work on tough challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, infectious disease and clean energy solutions.”
Community Concerns and Regulatory Challenges
Despite the potential advantages, community organizers have expressed skepticism about the project’s implications. Vidhya Aravind, a local activist with the group Stop the Data Center, highlighted concerns about the environmental impact, particularly regarding water use. Data centers require substantial cooling, and Aravind fears that the project may not fully disclose its environmental footprint.
“The national security aspect has drawn a veil over some of the details of the project,” Aravind said. “Everything is under NDA. They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building.”
The University of Michigan is exempt from local zoning codes and exercises significant regulatory autonomy, which has raised further apprehensions among residents. Jarvis stated that the university is currently evaluating two potential sites for the campus, with the final decision made in conjunction with Los Alamos National Laboratory.
As the debate continues, local officials stress the growing importance of addressing the cumulative impact of multiple data center projects under consideration throughout Michigan. Aravind indicated that this development reflects a broader trend regarding the rapid expansion of such facilities across the nation, calling for state-level changes to address these concerns effectively.
The discussions surrounding the proposed computing campus in Washtenaw County highlight the delicate balance between advancing technological research and addressing local community needs and environmental considerations.
